Manchester City, the triumphant victors of the UEFA Champions League 2022/23 season, clinched the prestigious title against FC Internazionale during a riveting final showdown at Istanbul’s Ataturk Olympic Stadium on June 10, 2023. The English football scene, however, still pulses with anticipation as the journey into the current Champions League season unfolds.
Presently, only two English clubs remain in contention for European glory: the treble-winning Manchester City and their fierce rivals Arsenal. Regrettably, Newcastle and Manchester United saw their Champions League aspirations dashed in the group stages, finishing at the bottom and missing out on even a Europa League spot, which is typically reserved for third-placed teams in their groups. Meanwhile, Liverpool, West Ham, and Brighton continue their European campaign in the Europa League after emerging victorious in their respective groups.
Elsewhere, Aston Villa finds itself in the Europa Conference League’s round of 16, eager to make its mark on the European stage.
In the imminent fixtures, Manchester City will kick off proceedings with a match against Copenhagen on Tuesday, February 13th, traveling to Denmark for the showdown. Following suit, Arsenal is set to take on Porto a week later on Wednesday, February 21st, marking the conclusion of the round of 16’s first leg matches.
The Champions League last 16 features formidable contenders like Jude Bellingham’s Real Madrid and Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich, both considered strong favorites for clinching the title. Real Madrid is scheduled to lock horns with RB Leipzig on the opening night of the knockout rounds, while Bayern Munich will face Lazio away from home a day later. PSG, led by the stellar talent of Kylian Mbappe, prepares to battle Real Sociedad, with the first leg hosted in Paris.
As the intense matchups unfold, TNT Sports stands as the broadcasting platform for viewers in the UK, ensuring fans can witness every exhilarating moment. Kick-off times for all matches are set at 8 PM.
Fixtures and Schedule:
Tuesday, February 13th
1. Copenhagen vs Manchester City
2. RB Leipzig vs Real Madrid
Wednesday, February 14th
1. PSG vs Real Sociedad
2. Lazio vs Bayern Munich
Tuesday, February 20th
1. PSV vs Dortmund
2. Inter Milan vs Atletico Madrid
Wednesday, February 21st
1. Porto vs Arsenal
2. Napoli vs Barcelona
Tuesday, March 5th
1. Real Sociedad vs PSG
2. Bayern Munich vs Lazio
Wednesday, March 6th
1. Manchester City vs Copenhagen
2. Real Madrid vs Leipzig
Tuesday, March 12th
1. Arsenal vs Porto
2. Barcelona vs Napoli
Wednesday, March 13th
1. Atletico Madrid vs Inter Milan
2. Dortmund vs PSV
Looking ahead, the draws for the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the Champions League are slated for Friday, March 15th. The quarter-final first legs are scheduled for April 9th and 10th, followed by the second legs a week later. Semifinalists will compete on April 30th or May 1st, with the return legs on May 7th and 8th.
This season’s grand finale, the Champions League final, will grace the illustrious Wembley Stadium, marking its return after an eleven-year hiatus. Scheduled for the first Saturday of June, the event promises a thrilling culmination to the tournament. The last English team to grace the Champions League final at Wembley was Manchester United in 2011, albeit suffering a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Barcelona, under the management of Sir Alex Ferguson.
